By Aaron Ossai
Again, yet to be identified gunmen have attached the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC office in Idemili North Local Government Area destroying,729 ballot boxes, 243 cubicles, 253 election bags, 11 megaphones and one generator.
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye said the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu reported that the Commission’s office in Idemili South Local Government Area (LGA) was attacked and set ablaze by unknown gunmen.
He she reported that the the incident occurred in the early hours of today Wednesday 1st February 2023.
According to Okoye, the building was substantially damaged with furniture and other items destroyed, including non-sensitive materials recently delivered in readiness for the 2023 General Election.
“Among the items lost to the inferno are 729 ballot boxes, 243 voting cubicles, 256 election bags, 11 megaphones, 1 electric power generator and large quantities of indelible ink and liquid gum.
“However, uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) kept in the fireproof cabinet were not affected by the inferno. Similarly, no sensitive materials have been delivered to the LGA office.
“The destruction appears to have been coordinated as the Nnobi Police Station in the LGA was similarly attacked.
“Despite this despicable incident, the Commission wishes to reassure the people of Idemili South LGA that contingency arrangement will be made to replace the materials and the Presidential and National Assembly elections will proceed on 25th February 2023 as scheduled, to be followed two weeks later by the State House of Assembly election”, he said.
